Digital twin takes traffic signals to next level in Dubai
Traffic signal upgrade to cut intersection congestion by 20 per cent
#UAE #smartcities - Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun implementing an advanced traffic signal control system that incorporates AI, predictive analytics, and digital twin technologies across the city's major intersections. The next-generation UTC-UX Fusion system aims to reduce traffic congestion by up to 20 percent and significantly improve journey times for all road users. The comprehensive upgrade, which aligns with Dubai's smart city strategy, is scheduled for completion by the first half of 2026.
SO WHAT? - Dubai’s integrated traffic management systems are among the most advanced in the world and this new upgrade represents one of the most ambitious urban traffic management AI deployments. The new RTA system moves beyond traditional reactive systems to a predictive model that can anticipate and manage traffic patterns before congestion occurs. The new system was made possible by creating a comprehensive digital twin of Dubai's road network.
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is implementing the next-generation UTC-UX Fusion system, an advanced traffic signal control system that incorporates AI, predictive analytics, and digital twins across the city's major intersections. The system could reduce traffic congestion by up to 20%.
Rather than simply reacting to current conditions, the UTC-UX Fusion system employs predictive traffic analysis to dynamically optimise signal timings in anticipation of expected traffic movements
Digital twin technology, a cornerstone of the upgrade, creates virtual representations of physical intersections, enabling traffic engineers to simulate signal adjustments and assess their network-wide impact before actual implementation, reducing the risk of unintended congestion.
The UTC-UX Fusion system integrates priority-based traffic management, automatically adjusting signals to expedite emergency vehicles and public transportation, potentially saving critical minutes for ambulances while improving the reliability of mass transit options.
The RTA’s investment in this technology aligns with Dubai’s broader smart city initiative and reinforces its position as a global leader in intelligent mobility.
The upgrade incorporates compatibility with future Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS/V2X), establishing infrastructure for direct communication between smart vehicles and traffic signals – a critical foundation for the eventual integration of autonomous vehicles into Dubai's ecosystem.
The new system is expected to benefit all road users including motorists, public transport passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The deployment leverages data from current and future road sensors to continuously refine signal timings with greater efficiency, creating an increasingly intelligent system that improves over time/
ZOOM OUT - Dubai's AI-powered traffic signal upgrade aligns with Dubai’s ambitious 2040 Masterplan, which places people-centric development at its core. The masterplan explicitly aims to enhance community wellbeing through improved infrastructure and optimal utilization of urban spaces, with efficient mobility as a cornerstone. By implementing predictive traffic management now, RTA is laying essential digital groundwork for the masterplan's vision of promoting mass transit use, walking, cycling, and flexible transportation options.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]